Today my first born son, Joshua is 7 years old. I simply can't believe how the time has flown past us. I thank the Lord for the blessing of adoption.

I am reading a book that I picked up second-hand about a year ago. The book is by Gwendolyn Mitchell Diaz and is titled "Mighty Mom's Secrets for Raising Super Kids, Guidelines for the Adventure Called Parenting."  The book is published by RiverOak Publishing and is copyright in 2001. I'd like to share a little of the passage I just read. It's from chapter twelve titled "Kid's Don't Become Independent on Their Own".

"You see, childhood and total independence are incompatible. Until its roots are firmly established, a young seedling grows best under the protection of a forest canopy or sheltered on the side of a mountain. When this security is not available, as in the case when a landscaper plops one in the middle of a naked backyard, the sapling must be fastened to a stake to keep it from washing away in a rainstorm or toppling in a heavy breeze. Children must be protected or anchored in much the same way. If security is not provided, they will grasp onto something in order to survive. They are rather indiscriminate about whom they choose to lean on. Usually it is the prson most readily available. Yet, the choice they make will affect the course of their lives.

A couple of years ago, a news report contained a profound statement made by a drug dealer in inner-city Boston. A new minister had just moved into the neighborhood. As the pusher was showing the preacher around, he made this telling remark: "I'm there when Johnny goes out for a loaf of bread for Mama. I'm there, you're not. I win, you lose. It's all about being there."

The drug dealer was absolutely right. The people who influence a child most are the people who are there--the ones who are close at hand when the child is in need. God intended for parents to be the ones to provide the greatest security and the largest influence on the lives of their growing children. To accomplish this, parents must be present in the lives of their children. We need to be the ones who prop up our kids until they can make it on their own."

I don't believe the author homeschooled her four boys, although I could be wrong. But this passage and others that I have read just scream to me that HOMESCHOOLING IS THE BEST OPTION FOR OUR CHILDREN. Spending time with our children is not the "quality verses quantity of time" we spend. Quality times are most likely the result of spending quantities of time with our children. Remember to talk with your child(ren) not at your child(ren).

While cooking dinner tonight, Joshua is wandering around and says to me that he wants to go to a real school. (As I the sometimes "teacher" of our homeschool wonders, so what have we done this year and last? Just "played" at school?)  Then he also declares to me that he wants "recess" - he wants to outside and go down a slide. Well let's see, you did go outside today? Yes. Did you get to watch TV most of the day? Yes. Um, do you think the other neighborhood kids got to do that? Um, NO silly little man.  Then he tells me that at Cubbies and Sparks all they talk about is God (remember we aren't going to Awana this year). He wants to do Math. So what did we do the other week -- rocket science -- no it was math. Then I had to remind him who created math. His response is the math teachers. Um, no -- GOD.  Now because he was disobedient and received a consequence, he declares that he wants a new family. Oh my -- I think the child has crossed the line. So as he is to embark on his finding a new family, the first stop is his room where he will sit on his bed quietly. Solitude for him.  I believe that 2 hours of boys club co-op wore him out a tad more than I would have thought.

So don't kids  just say the most interesting things......

Today was suppose to be the first day of our Joy and Cheerfulness unit study. While the boys were eating breakfast, they noticed the the poster board on the wall. I took that opportunity to go over our new unit and discuss JOY.

Let's review: The definition of joy is: Being happy inside and out. Sounds easy, right? The objectives are: to find ways to create a joyful environment for myself and others. And to learn how to be joyful even in adverse circumstances. Oh my, that last one -- adverse circumstances?? What are those? Could a homeschool mom that has a full-time job at home for an insurance company, find herself in "adverse circumstances"? Do you see where this is leading???

I've barely even touched the surface of Joy and Cheerfulness with the boys, and *I* have already failed. They boys, as usual lately, were fussing with each other and weren't demonstrating Joy or Cheerfulness. I found myself in an adverse circumstance of them not getting along and not helping to create a joyful environment. So what did I do? I went back to bed. Was I tired? Yes, because I stayed up way to late planning this unit on Joy. Um...so much for the unit study, right? Now that I've had more sleep, the boys moods aren't terribly improved, and I find myself not even wanting to do this unit study. Gasp, I almost find myself not wanting to homeschool. Oh my -- VERY ADVERSE CIRCUMSTANCE.  Where can I find my joy?

Where do you find your joy? Who is the author of Joy? Yes, Jesus Christ, Himself. The author and finisher of my faith. Do I feel alone today? Sure do, but I know that I am not.

The Homeschool eStore has as the free download this week "Secrets of Successful Homeschooling" by Paul & Gena Suarez. Um, sounds interesting and maybe this is just what I need to read. I've printed all 60+ pages and just started when I was stopped by a short paragraph. On page 8 is the following:

"For the Teacher -- what about you, the new teacher? What do you need personally? You need to soak yourself in the Word of God and keep feeding youself spiritually until you are overflowing with His joy and confidence. If He has called you to teach your children, His grace will be sufficient for any weakness you perceive in yourself. When you take those first steps down the homeschooling road, keep your eyes on the Author and Finisher of your children's education. The journey will be worth every effor as you see your children open up and flourish before you."

Now that I've been bopped over the head with what to do, let me go to the Word of God and be soaked in the true joy that only Jesus can give.

~~CheleLew~~